Several injured individuals on the ground were swiftly eliminated by the pursuing contestants.
They now shared a common objective, but that didn't make them teammates; on the contrary, they remained rivals, naturally seizing the opportunity to finish off the weakened.
Su Fan's heart stirred.
This meant he still had a chance to defeat them. All it took was a catalyst, and they would turn on each other.
"Improvise!"
Su Fan abruptly stopped, activated his buff skills, and then turned to charge back at the group behind him.
Those behind Su Fan were taken aback.
His sudden turn left them somewhat bewildered.
Su Fan plunged directly into the crowd, engaging the foremost few in combat.
"Golden Bell Shield!"
Su Fan activated the Golden Bell Shield, bestowing a protective barrier upon himself.
Before the opponents could react, Su Fan dispatched two contestants with two swift sword strikes.
At this moment, the crowd snapped back to awareness and immediately ganged up on Su Fan. Caught off guard, Su Fan took a sword thrust to the chest.
Su Fan exerted force with his feet, soaring backward with a whoosh and collapsing onto the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"It seems I'm destined to die here today. Come, take my head and claim your riches!"
Su Fan adopted a look of noble sacrifice and addressed the crowd.
The crowd rejoiced; Su Fan's current state clearly indicated severe injury, presenting a prime opportunity to capture him!
"But I only have one head. I wonder who will be lucky enough to claim it."
Su Fan murmured softly.
A few contestants at the rear heard Su Fan's words and their expressions faltered. They gazed at the backs of those ahead, their eyes glinting with murderous intent.
*Swoosh!*
The foremost individual, on the verge of reaching Su Fan, suddenly shuddered. He looked down at his chest in disbelief as the tip of a blade pierced through it.
The person behind him's eyes turned cold. There was only one chance, and that head would be his!
He wasn't foolish either; if he could ambush and kill someone, others could ambush and kill him. He immediately spun around, warily watching those behind him.
The crowd exchanged glances, realizing that they wouldn't be able to claim the prize without fighting to the very end today.
Su Fan, lying on the ground, subtly lifted his eyes to peek. It was unfolding much as he had predicted.
Faced with such an easily attainable prize, former allies would inevitably become enemies.
This was human nature.
These individuals, vying for Su Fan's head, quickly devolved into a chaotic melee, fiercer than before. Blood sprayed, and severed limbs flew.
Young Master Xu on the stage erupted in delighted laughter, slapping his thigh.
"Excellent! Excellent! This is what makes it exciting!"
The bloody combat scene was exhilarating. What else were these young masters here for if not for thrills? This was truly stimulating!
Soon, the intense battle reached its climax, with fewer than ten individuals left standing steadily.
Adding those who had never been interested in Su Fan, over fifty people remained in the arena; half had already perished.
Su Fan knew it was no longer necessary to feign death.
"Heh heh, fellas, come and take my head?"
Su Fan chuckled as he addressed the victors of the scramble for his head.
Su Fan's slightly mocking words stunned them, and they immediately realized they had been tricked.
"You son of a bitch, you're asking for death!"
One of them, enraged, drew his sword and charged at Su Fan.
"Improvise!"
"Army Breaker!"
*Clang!*
The opponent's weapon snapped, and along with his head, it fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
The strength Su Fan displayed instantly intimidated the remaining few who had been eyeing him covetously. They were already depleted from their battles, and engaging Su Fan now would be a significant disadvantage.
"Kill them, and the numbers will be just right. What do you say?"
At this point, those who hadn't pursued Su Fan approached, surrounding the few who had attacked him with unfriendly expressions.
They were all shrewd individuals; their initial inaction was a calculated observation, waiting for the opportune moment to act.
Now was their time.
Those who had expended significant energy were the easiest targets.
"Then what's there to say? Kill them and it's over. I want to go back for a drink."
Dozens of people converged on the less than ten individuals, and the outcome was predictable.
As for Su Fan, no one paid him any mind.
Su Fan's strength had been revealed, making him a formidable opponent. Moreover, he hadn't expended much energy, having remained on the ground throughout, even resting better than them. Naturally, they wouldn't pick the harder fight.
Soon, those individuals were beaten to death by the mob. Su Fan counted; including himself, fifty people remained.
"The preliminary round has concluded. The rematch begins tomorrow. Everyone disperse."
The eunuch stepped onto the stage and addressed the crowd.
Su Fan shook his head with a wry smile. Tomorrow, there would likely be fewer people. Some might be recruited as personal guards by influential figures based on their performance today.
Su Fan was no exception. Before he had even left the arena, a guard approached him.
"Our young master wishes to invite you to become his personal attendant."
The对方's tone was arrogant, more of a notification than an inquiry.
"I'm sorry, I'm not interested."
Su Fan had no intention of becoming anyone's attendant.
"Think carefully. Offend our young master, and you won't be able to survive in Tianlong City."
The对方 threatened Su Fan.
"Do you think I'm easily scared?"
Su Fan scoffed at this.
While he knew those young masters and ladies wielded considerable power, it wouldn't extend to him. After the martial arts tournament, he would enter the next phase, where their influence would be even less relevant.
"Very well. I will report this truthfully to our young master."
The guard said coldly.
Su Fan shook his head.
"It's best if you add a little spice to it, otherwise, I'll feel bad for not beating you."
"What do you mean?"
The guard was still puzzled by Su Fan's words, but in the next moment, he understood.
Without hesitation, Su Fan began to beat him.
A mere level twenty-five novice dared to act so presumptuously before him!
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
The guard's screams of pain drew the attention of the surrounding onlookers.
After finishing his beating, Su Fan clapped his hands and quickly left.
If his master showed up, things would become complicated.
"Su Fan!"
A clear voice reached Su Fan's ears.
Su Fan froze. Could it be that his master had really arrived?
"Long Die?"
Su Fan turned and saw it was indeed Long Die.
Long Die!
Su Fan was startled and turned to flee.
"Still trying to run!"
Long Die covered the distance to Su Fan in a few strides, blocking his path.
"Speak! Who took you to that kind of place?"
Long Die furiously questioned Su Fan.
"I was drunk, and Xiao Yan dragged me there."
Su Fan didn't hesitate to betray Xiao Yan.
*Achoo!*
Xiao Yan, who was embracing a woman and sleeping in a pleasure house, suddenly sneezed.
"Who's thinking of me?"
Xiao Yan mumbled in confusion.
"What's wrong, Young Master Xiao?"
The woman in Xiao Yan's arms looked up at him questioningly.
"It's nothing, nothing. Let's continue sleeping."
Xiao Yan said, pulling the covers over himself.
Ten thousand words omitted here.